Verse 3 – “I am warning you! If another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents forgive him.
Rebuke, in the Thesaurus, means to reprimand, reprove, censure, haul over the coals, scold, admonish, chide, give a talking to . . . pretty harsh, wouldn’t you say? Ouch! Been there, done that and sometimes still do. FLESH
Rebuke, in the footnote of my study bible . . . “To rebuke does not mean to point out every sin we see. It means to bring sin to a person’s attention with the purpose of restoring him or her to God and to fellow humans.” GRACE! GOD’S GRACE!
I believe 99.9% of the sin we see in another person’s life, we are to pray for them . . . that God, by His Holy Spirit, brings light and conviction in that area . . . and in our life, too.
The heart attitude must be checked before the mouth speaks. Ask, do I love that person? Am I willing to forgive? What is my motive for pointing out that sin in their life? If a rebuke is not tied to forgiveness and restoration, it will only destroy.
Verse 4 – Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him.”
How many times have I read this verse seeing it as applying to the "other person" . . . the person doing the wrong toward me? When, in fact, it also applies to me, the one doing the wrong? Reading verse 4 with that in mind will help me walk in grace toward others, as I want them to walk in grace toward me.
When I am complaining to myself about someone, believer or non-believer, God gently asks me, "Is that how you want Me to treat you?"
Grace . . . God’s Grace . . . my desire for myself and toward others.
2 comments:
I am SO so grateful for God's grace in my life.
I am also SO aware of the many times I fail Him, of the sins i deal with |in my life every day (if i didn't, i'd be perfect, which means i'd be in heaven!).
Those 2 facts make me quick to forgive AND forget if ever wrong is done to me.
Our time on earth is too short to not have a forgiving and loving heart toward our fellow Christ-followers.
And our time in eternity is too long to not have a forgiving and loving heart towards those yet-to-be-saved.
Thank You, Lord, for loving me, saving me, forgiving me. For forgiving me every time I repent. Even the 50th time in a day.
Lovingly His and yours,
This chapter was so good...and the same part of it struck me. What I love is that I am supposed to keep forgiving even when people keep sinning. It is so much easier to "point the finger" because it takes all the attention off of us. God is so much more merciful that we are. And His grace goes beyond our emagination. I loved the humility of the guest speaker on Sunday. God saves us and forgives us even when we don't deverve it!!!
Thank you Lord. Fill our church with those who need to find Your Grace and Mercy!!! Don't let us hinder Your Work in any way.
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